Adjustable height platform

ABSTRACT

An adjustable height system that provides an automatic manner of height adjustment for a platform. The platform is supported by a frame including a scissor lift assembly which raises and lowers the platform to any desirable height. The height is adjusted by activating a portable drive device which is engaged with an adapter element that couples a gearbox to a threaded drive member that actuates the scissor lift assembly. Using the portable drive device in forward or reverse, the platform is respectively raised and lowered.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to staging systems. More particularly,the present invention relates to adjustable height platforms for use instaging systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Staging systems can be used for a variety of different performances.Different uses such as concert staging vs. theater staging may utilizedifferent staging platform heights. Also, a staging system for a singleperformance may require platforms of differing heights. When installingthe staging system, it is beneficial to be able to adjust the platformheights quickly, and with as few tools, as possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide an automatic manner ofheight adjustment for a platform. The platform is supported by a frameincluding a scissor lift assembly which raises and lowers the platformto any desirable height. The height is adjusted by activating a portabledrive device which is engaged with an adapter element that couples agearbox to a threaded drive member that actuates the scissor liftassembly. Using the portable drive device in forward or reverse, theplatform is respectively raised and lowered. In one embodiment, theheight is adjusted by inserting a cordless drill into a drill adapterthat couples a gearbox to the drill through an aperture in the platform.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the adjustable heightplatform system includes an adjustable height platform system. Theadjustable height platform system includes a frame comprising an upperchannel member and a lower channel member. The upper channel memberincludes a first channel along the length of a first side of the frameand the lower channel member comprising a second channel along thelength of the first side. The system further includes a scissor liftassembly having an upper pivot support member pivotably attached to theupper channel member and a lower pivot support member attached to thelower channel member. The upper pivot support member and the lower pivotsupport member are rotatably connected to one another in a scissorarrangement. The system further includes a gearbox coupled to the framethat is operably connected to an adapter element. The adapter element isconfigured to be driven by a portable drive device. The gearbox is alsooperably connected to a threaded drive member rotatably coupled to theframe. The system further includes a driven member mounted on thethreaded drive member and configured to translate along a lineardirection in response to rotation of the threaded drive member. Thedriven member is attached to a moveable support point of the lower pivotsupport member. The translation of the driven member along the lineardirection moves the moveable support point along a surface of the upperchannel member altering the angle between the lower pivot support memberand the upper pivot support member and altering the distance between theupper channel member and the lower channel member.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the adjustable heightplatform system includes an adjustable height platform system having aframe comprising a first upper channel member, a second upper channelmember, a first lower channel member and a second lower channel member.The first upper channel member includes a first upper channel along thelength of a first side of the frame and the first lower channel memberincludes a first lower channel along the length of the first side. Thesecond upper channel member includes a second upper channel along thelength of a second side of the frame and the second lower channel memberincludes a second lower channel along the length of the first side. Thesystem further includes a scissor lift assembly having four sets ofsupport members. Each set of support members includes an upper pivotsupport member pivotably attached to either the first upper channelmember or second upper support member. The lower pivot support member isattached to either the first lower channel member or the second lowerchannel member. The upper pivot support member and the lower pivotsupport member of each set are rotatably connected to one another in ascissor arrangement. The system further includes a gearbox coupled tothe frame that is operably connected to an adapter element. The adapterelement is configured to be driven by a portable drive device. Thegearbox is also operably connected to a threaded drive member rotatablycoupled to the frame. The system includes a first driven member and asecond driven member, each of the first driven member and the seconddriven member are mounted on the threaded drive member and each areconfigured to translate along a linear direction in response to rotationof the threaded drive member. The first driven member is attached to amoveable support point of the lower pivot support member of at least oneset of support members. The second driven member is attached to amoveable support point of the lower pivot support member of a differentat least one set of support members. The translation of the drivenmember along the linear direction moves the moveable support point alonga surface of the upper channel member altering the angle between thelower pivot support member and the upper pivot support member andaltering the distance between the upper channel member and the lowerchannel member.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable heightstage system includes a plurality of adjustable height platform systems.Each adjustable height platform system includes a frame comprising anupper channel member and a lower channel member. The upper channelmember includes a first channel along the length of a first side of theframe and the lower channel member comprising a second channel along thelength of the first side. The system further includes a scissor liftassembly having an upper pivot support member pivotably attached to theupper channel member and a lower pivot support member attached to thelower channel member. The upper pivot support member and the lower pivotsupport member are rotatably connected to one another in a scissorarrangement. The system further includes a gearbox coupled to the framethat is operably connected to an adapter element. The adapter element isconfigured to be driven by a portable drive device. The gearbox is alsooperably connected to a threaded drive member rotatably coupled to theframe. The system further includes a driven member mounted on thethreaded drive member and configured to translate along a lineardirection in response to rotation of the threaded drive member. Thedriven member is attached to a moveable support point of the lower pivotsupport member. The translation of the driven member along the lineardirection moves the moveable support point along a surface of the upperchannel member altering the angle between the lower pivot support memberand the upper pivot support member and altering the distance between theupper channel member and the lower channel member. At least two of theadjustable height platform systems are connected to form a continuoussupport surface.

These and various other advantages and features of novelty are pointedout with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a parthereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention and itsadvantages, reference should be made to the drawings which form afurther part hereof, and to accompanying descriptive matter, in whichthere are illustrated and described representative examples ofapparatuses, methods, and systems in accordance with the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in connection with embodiments illustrated inthe following diagrams.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable height platform systemaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a frame of the adjustable platformsystem according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a top-down view of the adjustable height platform systemaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of area 400 from FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of area 402 from FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line 7-7 of FIG. 3 accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of area 700 from FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of area 702 from FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of area 704 from FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a top-down view of the frame of the adjustable heightplatform system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of area 1100 from FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the adjustable platform system according to anembodiment in a retracted position;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the adjustable platform system according to anembodiment in a extended position; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of adjustable height stage systemaccording to an embodiment.

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawings to represent the same parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description of various exemplary embodiments, referenceis made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and inwhich is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which theinvention may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized, as structural and operational changes maybe made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In accordance with various embodiments, a platform is continuouslyraised and/or lowered to any desirable height using only a portabledrive device, such as cordless drill. The platform is supported by aframe further described below. The platform arrangement according to thepresent invention includes a simple and inexpensive arrangementutilizing a simple mechanical arrangement.

Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, an adjustable height platform system 100 isshown. The platform 102 is supported by an adjustable height frame 104.The platform includes an aperture 103 through which an adapter element201 can be coupled to a gearbox 203 (see, for example, FIG. 2). In oneembodiment, the adapter element 201 is a ½ inch steel shaft coupler, a3/16 inch steel key and a 7/16 inch hex bar, with the key and hex partbeing welded to the coupler, where the adapter element is configured todetachable engage an input shaft of the gearbox 203. By using a portabledrive device (e.g., a cordless drill) in either forward or reversemodes, the platform can be respectively raised or lowered. The frame 104may be fabricated from any suitable material, such as aluminum or steel.The various components of the frame 104 may be formed on the samematerial or different materials.

The frame 104 includes an upper channel member 205 and a lower channelmember 207. The upper channel member 205 includes a first channel 209along the length of a first side 210 of the frame 104 and the lowerchannel member 207 comprising a second channel 211 along the length ofthe first side. In one embodiment, the frame 104 includes a similararrangement of upper channel member 205 and lower channel member 207 ona second side 213.

The frame 104 further includes a scissor lift assembly 107 having anupper pivot support member 116 pivotably attached to the upper channelmember 205 and a lower pivot support member 118 attached to the lowerchannel member 207. The upper pivot support member 116 and the lowerpivot support member 118 are rotatably connected to one another in ascissor arrangement. By scissor arrangement, as utilized herein, it ismeant that the pivot support members are arranged such that theadjustment of the angle between the rotatably connected pivot supportmembers results in an adjustment in distance between the upper channelmember 205 and the lower channel member 207. In one embodiment, fixedbolts or pins through the upper channel member 205 and the lower channelmember 207 permit the pivoting of the upper pivot support member 116 andthe lower pivot support member 118. The distal end of the upper pivotsupport member 116 is permitted to move along a surface of the lowerchannel member 207 in lower channel 211. The distal end of the lowerpivot support member 118 is permitted to move along a surface of theupper channel member 205 in upper channel 209.

The frame 104 includes a plurality of cross members 124 extendingbetween lower pivot support members 118. The cross members 124 have anarea configured to stabilize the adjustable height frame 104. Additionalcross members 124 may be positioned near the platform 102 and remainsubstantially parallel to the platform surface during raising andlowering. In one embodiment, the cross member 124 may include a groovein a top surface to accept a screw when the adjustable height frame 104is in a collapsed or retracted position.

The adjustable height platform system 100 further includes a gearbox 203coupled to the frame that is operably connected to an adapter element201. The adapter element 201 is configured to be driven by a portabledrive device (not shown). In one embodiment, the adapter element 201 isremovable. As shown in FIG. 2, the gearbox 203 is also operablyconnected to a threaded drive member 215 rotatably coupled to the frame104. The gearbox 203 may be any suitable gearbox structure that permitstranslation of rotation from the adapter element to the threaded drivemember 215. A particularly suitable gearbox arrangement includes a rightangle gearbox. The threaded drive member 215 is preferably a screw orscrew-like structure having one or more sets of the threads. A drivenmember 217 is mounted on the threaded drive member 215 and configured totranslate along a linear direction in response to rotation of thethreaded drive member 215. The driven member 217 is preferably a nut ornut-like structure. One particularly suitable driven member 217 is anACME screw or a ball screw. The driven member 217 is attached to amoveable support point 219 of the lower pivot support member 118. Theframe 104 includes a drive support 221 spanning between lower pivotsupport members 118 on opposite sides of frame 104, which moves with thedriven member 217 and drives the motion of the moveable support point219 of lower pivot support member 118. The translation of the drivenmember 217 along the linear direction moves the moveable support point219 along a surface of the upper channel 209 of the upper channel member205 altering the angle between the lower pivot support member 118 andthe upper pivot support member 116 and altering the distance between theupper channel member 205 and the lower channel member 207. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the linear direction is parallel tothe first side 210 and the second side 213. The distance between theupper channel member 205 and the lower channel member 207 correlates tothe height of the platform.

In one embodiment, the rotational motion of the threaded drive member215 is provided with a cordless drill and is transferred through gearbox203 (e.g., a right angle gearbox) with a speed reducer and into a drivenmember 217 (e.g., an ACME screw). The threaded drive member 215 in thisembodiment has left-handed threads on one portion (e.g., one half) andright-handed threads on another portion (e.g., the other half). Thedriven member 217 in this embodiment, includes a left hand nut thattravels along the left hand threads and a right hand nut that travelsalong the right hand threads. Each nut is coupled to the scissor liftassembly 107 and permits actuation of scissor arrangement of the upperchannel member 205 and the lower channel member 207.

While the platform 102 can comprise any material or shape, in certainembodiments the platform is a staging platform comprised of plywood andencased circumferentially in an extruded aluminum frame. The platform102 can be attached to the adjustable height frame 104 is a variety ofways including fasteners such as by metal screws through mounting holesin the upper channels (e.g., seven holes per channel depending on thesize of the platform 102 and adjustable height frame 104). Once theplatform 102 is set at the desired height, the adapter element 106 maybe removed and the aperture 103 can be filled with a cap and/or plug.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of an adjustable height platform system 100having the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 shows across-sectional view along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3. As visible in FIG. 4,threaded drive member 215 is mounted within frame 104 and extends fromgearbox 203 to rotatable mount 401. Two driven members 217 are mountedon the threaded member 215 and move in opposite directions in responseto rotation of threaded drive member 215. FIG. 5 shows enlarged area 400from FIG. 4 showing additional details of gearbox 203. Gearbox 203includes an output shaft that is parallel to the threaded member 215.Gearbox 203 and threaded member 215 accept clockwise andcounterclockwise rotation. The output speed from a gear reducer ingearbox 203 may be installed with different gear ratios and the speed atwhich the threaded members spins and moves the platform 102 up and downmay vary. FIG. 6 shows enlarged area 402 from FIG. 4 showing additionaldetails of the driven member 217 mounted on the threaded drive member215. As shown in FIG. 6, in one embodiment, the driven member 217 isretained in a bolted arrangement to prevent rotation of the drivenmember 217. Likewise, the driven member 217 is coupled to a drivesupport 221 which moves with the driven member 217 and drives the motionof the moveable support point 219 of lower pivot support member 118.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line 7-7 of FIG. 3. Asvisible in FIG. 7, upper pivot support members 118 and lower pivotsupport members 116 are connected via a center bolt or pin and permittedto pivot with respect to each other. FIG. 8 shows enlarged area 700 fromFIG. 7 showing additional details of the movable end of the upper pivotsupport member 116. The moveable end of the upper pivot support member116 is permitted to move such as by sliding or rolling via a wheel orsimilar structure along the surface of the lower channel 211 of lowerchannel member 207. FIG. 9 shows enlarged area 702 from FIG. 7 showingadditional details of the fixed end of the lower pivot support member118. The fixed end of the lower pivot support member 118 is retained bya fastener 900, such as a bolt, pin or similar fastener, that permitspivoting about the axis of fastener 900. FIG. 10 shows enlarged area 704from FIG. 7 showing additional details of the movable end of the lowerpivot support member 118. The movable end of the lower pivot supportmember 118 includes moveable support point 219, which is permitted tomove such as by sliding or rolling via a wheel or similar structurealong the surface of the upper channel 209 the upper channel member 205.

FIG. 11 is a top-down view of the frame 104 of the adjustable heightplatform system 100. FIG. 12 shows enlarged area 1101 from FIG. 11showing additional details of the rotatable mount 401 at one end of thethreaded drive member 215. Rotatable mount 401 includes a housing 1201and a ball-bearing or similar rotatable arrangement that permits andfacilitates rotation of the threaded drive member 215. In addition, therotatable mount 401 includes a spring member 1203 that provides a forceagainst the driven member 217 when the driven member 217 is close to orat the maximum travel corresponding to the maximum height. The springmember 1203 is configured to provide sufficient resistance to indicateto an operator of the portable drive member that the adjustable heightplatform system 100 is nearing its maximum height. The spring member1203 and arrangement of the rotatable mount 401 provides the operator afeel of when the maximum height is about to be reached to avoid a suddenstop at the maximum height.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the adjustable platform system according to anembodiment in a retracted position. As shown in FIG. 13, a portabledrive device 1301, such as a cordless drill is connected to theadjustable height platform system 100 via adapter element 201.Activating the portable drive device 1301 provides rotation of thethreaded drive member 215 and adjusts the height of the platform 102.FIG. 14 is a side view of the adjustable platform system according to anembodiment in an extended position. In one embodiment, in the lowestposition, drive supports 221 meet in the middle of the frame 104 andstop motion of the portable drive device 1301.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of adjustable height stage system 1500according to an embodiment. The adjustable height stage system 1500includes a plurality of adjustable height platform systems 100, such asthe adjustable height platform systems 100 shown and described in FIG.1, connected together. The connected adjustable height platform systems100 form a continuous support surface 1501. The adjustable heightplatform systems 100 may be connected using any suitable fasteningsystem, such as a fastener, clip, coffin lock or other known fasteningsystem. While FIG. 15 shows two adjustable height platform systems 100connected together, any number of adjustable height platform systems 100may be connected together. Likewise, the adjustable height platformsystems 100 may be connected on the sides or the ends to form thecontinuous support surface 1501. In one embodiment, the adjustableheight stage system 1500 may be formed by individually raising theplatforms to a desired height and thereafter connecting the adjustableheight platform systems 100 together.

The adjustable height frame can be used in connection with one or moreadditional adjustable height frames to form a system of adjustablestaging platforms. In addition, various accessories can be attached tothe platforms and/or frames. Such accessories can include guardrails,closure panels, skirting, wheeled transports, etc. The modularcomponents can create any variety of sizes and shapes ofstaging/performance surfaces.

While the invention has been described with reference to one or moreembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims. In addition, all numerical values identified in the detaileddescription shall be interpreted as though the precise and approximatevalues are both expressly identified.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable height platform system comprising:a frame comprising an upper channel member and a lower channel member,the upper channel member comprising a first channel along the length ofa first side and a lower channel member comprising a second channelalong the length of the first side of the frame; a scissor lift assemblycomprising an upper pivot support member pivotably attached to the upperchannel member and a lower pivot support member attached to the lowerchannel member, the upper pivot support member and the lower pivotsupport member being rotatably connected to one another in a scissorarrangement; a gearbox coupled to the frame and being operably connectedto an adapter element, the adapter element being configured to be drivenby a portable drive device, the gearbox also being operably connected toa threaded drive member rotatably coupled to the frame; and a drivenmember mounted on the threaded drive member and configured to translatealong a linear direction in response to rotation of the threaded drivemember, the driven member being attached to a moveable support point ofthe lower pivot support member; wherein the translation of the drivenmember along the linear direction moves the moveable support point alonga surface of the upper channel member altering the angle between thelower pivot support member and the upper pivot support member andaltering the distance between the upper channel member and the lowerchannel member.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable drivedevice is a cordless drill.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the lineardirection is parallel to the first side.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein the threaded drive device includes a first portion comprisingright-handed threads on a second portion comprising left-handed threads,wherein the first portion is threadably engaged with a first drivenmember and the second portion is threadably engaged with a second drivenmember.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the moveable support pointincludes a wheel.
 6. The system of claim 1, comprising a platformcoupled to the frame, wherein the platform is supported by the frame andforms a support surface.
 7. The system of claim 6, further comprising anaperture arranged and disposed to permit access to the adapter elementthrough the platform.
 8. The system of claim 6, further comprising anaccessory structure coupled to the platform.
 9. The system of claim 8,wherein the accessory structure is a wheeled transport.
 10. The systemof claim 6, wherein the scissor lift assembly comprising at least onecross piece oriented substantially parallel to the support surface andhaving a groove configured to receive the screw when the apparatus is ina collapsed position.
 11. The system of claim 6, wherein the first andsecond support structures each include a cross member having an areaconfigured to stabilize the apparatus.
 12. The system of claim 1,wherein the frame is comprised of aluminum.
 13. The system of claim 1,wherein the threaded drive member is an ACME screw.
 14. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the gearbox is a right angle gearbox.
 15. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the threaded drive member is rotatably mounted to theframe via the gearbox at one end and a rotatable mount at an oppositeend.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the rotatable mount includes aball bearing arrangement.
 17. An adjustable height platform systemcomprising: a frame comprising a first upper channel member, a secondupper channel member, a first lower channel member and a second lowerchannel member, the first upper channel member comprising a first upperchannel along the length of a first side of the frame and a first lowerchannel member comprising a first lower channel along the length of thefirst side, the second upper channel member comprising a second upperchannel along the length of a second side of the frame and a secondlower channel member comprising a second lower channel along the lengthof the second side; a scissor lift assembly comprising four sets ofsupport members, each set of support members comprising an upper pivotsupport member pivotably attached to either the first upper channelmember or second upper support member and the lower pivot support memberbeing attached to either the first lower channel member or the secondlower channel member, the upper pivot support member and the lower pivotsupport member of each set being rotatably connected to one another in ascissor arrangement; a gearbox coupled to the frame and being operablyconnected to an adapter element, the adapter element being configured tobe driven by a portable drive device, the gearbox also being operablyconnected to a threaded drive member rotatably coupled to the frame; anda first driven member and a second driven member, each of the firstdriven member and the second driven member being mounted on the threadeddrive member and each being configured to translate along a lineardirection in response to rotation of the threaded drive member, thefirst driven member being attached to a moveable support point of thelower pivot support member of at least one set of support members, thesecond driven member being attached to a moveable support point of thelower pivot support member of a different at least one set of supportmembers; wherein the translation of the driven member along the lineardirection moves the moveable support point along a surface of the upperchannel member altering the angle between the lower pivot support memberand the upper pivot support member and altering the distance between theupper channel member and the lower channel member.
 18. An adjustableheight stage system comprising: a plurality of adjustable heightplatform systems, each adjustable height platform system comprising: aframe comprising an upper channel member and a lower channel member, theupper channel member comprising a first channel along the length of afirst side and a lower channel member comprising a second channel alongthe length of the first side; a scissor lift assembly comprising anupper pivot support member pivotably attached to the upper channelmember and the lower pivot support member attached to the lower channelmember, the upper pivot support member and the lower pivot supportmember being rotatably connected to one another in a scissorarrangement; a gearbox coupled to the frame and being operably connectedto an adapter element, the adapter element being configured to be drivenby a portable drive device, the gearbox also being operably connected toa threaded drive member rotatably coupled to the frame; and a drivenmember mounted on the threaded drive member and configured to translatealong a linear direction in response to rotation of the threaded drivemember, the driven member being attached to a moveable support point ofthe lower pivot support member; wherein the translation of the drivenmember along the linear direction moves the moveable support point alonga surface of the upper channel member altering the angle between thelower pivot support member and the upper pivot support member andaltering the distance between the upper channel member and the lowerchannel member; wherein at least two of the adjustable height platformsystems are connected to form a continuous support surface.